Patents by Inventor Michael K. Richmann

Michael K. Richmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Apparatus and method for making metal chloride salt product
    Patent number: 7217402
    Abstract: A method of producing metal chlorides is disclosed in which chlorine gas is introduced into liquid Cd. CdCl2 salt is floating on the liquid Cd and as more liquid CdCl2 is formed it separates from the liquid Cd metal and dissolves in the salt. The salt with the CdCl2 dissolved therein contacts a metal which reacts with CdCl2 to form a metal chloride, forming a mixture of metal chloride and CdCl2. After separation of bulk Cd from the salt, by gravitational means, the metal chloride is obtained by distillation which removes CdCl2 and any Cd dissolved in the metal chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America Department of Energy
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Zygmunt Tomczuk, Michael K. Richmann
  • Method for processing spent (TRU, Zr)N fuel
    Patent number: 6767444
    Abstract: A new process for recycling spent nuclear fuels, in particular, mixed nitrides of transuranic elements and zirconium. The process consists of two electrorefiner cells in series configuration. A transuranic element such as plutonium is reduced at the cathode in the first cell, zirconium at the cathode in the second cell, and nitrogen-15 is released and captured for reuse to make transuranic and zirconium nitrides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Michael K. Richmann